& BISTRO

When Kitty Kane opened nYne Bar & Bistro in 2010, she wanted to offer Spokane “a fun, safe place for people to come and just be themselves.” Since then, she says, “I’ve had many people say that when they get here they feel like they’re home.”

The queer-focused night club welcomes patrons of all orientations to its spacious venue. But — cognizant of ongoing threats to queer spaces — nYne takes the safety of their “home” seriously.

“We have security every night. We didn’t used to,” Kane says. Along with preventing violence at the door, security also intervenes when it comes to treating people with disrespect or sexual advances they don’t want, says Kane, who wants “to make sure everyone feels safe.”

During the sad, danceless era when COVID restrictions paused dance nights, nYne invested in drag performances. Now that patrons can shimmy to beats in person again, drag shows remain woven into nYne’s weekend dance schedule.

On Fridays and Saturdays, a free drag show starts at 8:30 pm, followed by a live DJ set and dancing at 9:30. If you arrive to dance after 9:30, be ready to pay a cover — without grumbling.

“My big thing is no one’s more important than anyone else,” says Kane.

Back-to-back programming is a secret weapon of nYne’s. Their best-attended karaoke session happens Thursdays at 9 pm, directly following their 7 pm trivia. Both events are hosted by Ryan Jensen, who’s been running karaoke the entire time nYne’s been open — 13 years now — and has established his own following.

“He’s very approachable,” says Kane. “He knows how to adjust sound really well. So if you have a weird song…” Ryan can help.

“We also have Tuesday karaoke hosted by Rita Fine,” Kane says. That karaoke, too, immediately follows earlier program- ming: a popular queer comedy open mic (at 8 pm) organized by stand-up comic Camrynne Sullivan.

In addition to all that recurring entertainment, nYne also hosts special fundraisers and elaborate Pride happenings, like a guest DJ from Seattle and an all-ages brunch before the big parade.

“Seems like when we do things that are outside the norm, it just brings people together,” says Kane. “Sometimes it feels more like a community space than a bar.”

— ELISSA BALL

BEST KARAOKE

2nd PLACE: Monterey Cafe; 3rd PLACE: The Star Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Iron Horse Bar & Grill, Coeur d’Alene

BEST PLACE TO DANCE

2nd PLACE: Globe Bar & Kitchen

3rd PLACE (tie): Highball at Northern Quest, Lucky You Lounge

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Stateline

Best Beer Bar Community Pint

It’s right there in the name. Community. I randomly discovered this place last fall, while wandering around east downtown trying to kill time ahead of a meeting at a nearby church led by a controversial, far-right former state representative. I was nervous and wanted a beer. Community Pint had that, but also so much more — friendly regulars, talkative newcomers, cute dogs and warm music. In the end, I wasn’t able to get into the church, but Community Pint made the trip more than worth it. (NS)

2nd PLACE: The Viking; 3rd PLACE: Manito Tap House

NORTH IDAHO: The Crown and Thistle, Coeur d’Alene

Best Happy Hour Tavol Ta

Tavolàta’s happy hour is one of those seems-too-good-to-be-true things you don’t want anyone else to know about in case it is true. And it is! Daily from 4 to 6 pm, many items are offered at as much as half off the regular menu. It’s a perfectly good excuse to leave work early and enjoy a satisfying assortment of small plates, scratch-made pasta dishes and even dessert, plus drink specials in a sophisticated yet welcoming setting right downtown. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar, multiple locations

3rd PLACE: Wooden City

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Café, Coeur d’Alene

Best Hotel Bar The Peacock Room Lounge

“The environment is great, and the decor outdoes itself. Especially for a hotel bar, cannot find anything more stunning.” (Kendra D.); “Best place to people-watch while having a martini.” (Meg H.); “What’s not to love? Classy, elegant, fabulous martinis.” (Roberta W.)

2nd PLACE: The Safari Room

3rd PLACE: Max at Mirabeau

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Whispers at the Coeur d’Alene Resort

Best Coffee Roaster Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters

“They have the best blends of coffee in the INW. Their support of women-owned business and single-origin coffees is something that I drool over every year. Hats off to you!” (Kinsey H.); “Awesome coffee, locally roasted.” (Gary M.)

2nd PLACE: Roast House Coffee

3rd PLACE: Indaba Coffee

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: DOMA Coffee Roasting Co., Post Falls

BEST DRIVE-THRU COFFEE

BEST ALL-AROUND COFFEE SHOP

Wake Up Call

“Every time I go in, they are so nice, and their coffee is the best!” (Kathryn J.); “Quick, have enough people to work their busy shops, and coffee has a deep, rich flavor.” (Gail C.); “Never had a bad service experience here! The baristas are the nicest in Spokane!” (Anna C.)

BEST DRIVE-THRU COFFEE

2nd PLACE: White Dog Coffee

3rd PLACE: Dutch Bros Coffee

BEST ALL-AROUND COFFEE SHOP

2nd PLACE: Thomas Hammer, Grand Blvd.

3rd PLACE: Indaba Coffee, Riverside Ave.

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: DOMA Coffee Lab, Post Falls

BEST BLOODY MARY

BARK, A RESCUE PUB

“Huge, a celebration and a meal at the same time!” (Krista P.); “Loaded with goodies.” (Patricia B.)

2nd PLACE: 1898 Public House

Cidery One Tree Cider House

BEST LOCAL

Even cider lovers who’ve never set foot in One Tree Cider House on Madison Street are likely to have seen their hugely popular lemon basil cider on tap somewhere else in the region. With other popular flavors like huckleberry, mimosa, cranberry and rotating seasonal brews, the cidery offers many options for fans of cider and foes of gluten alike. Their food is also worth raving about, with pizza and snacks like pulled pork nachos offering a reason to linger and sip a little longer. (SW)

2nd PLACE: Trailbreaker Cider; 3rd PLACE: Liberty Ciderworks; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cider Company

Best Local Distillery Dry Fly Distilling

Dry Fly’s legacy extends across the region like the spokes of a wheel. Its multiple award-winning whiskey, gin and vodka are mainstays at local restaurants and bars and on grocery store liquor shelves, along with its line of canned cocktails. The grain used to make said spirits is all sourced within 30 miles of Dry Fly’s production facility, which nearly overlooks the Spokane River. In that same river, one might even spot Dry Fly founder Don Poffenroth, whose passion for fly fishing inspired the distillery’s name. (CS)

2nd PLACE: 2 Loons Distillery

3rd PLACE: Up North Distillery, Post Falls

3rd PLACE: Satellite Diner

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen, Coeur d’Alene